Exquisite Treasure Pavilion Auction, Returning to Crimson Cloud Immortal City

"Hmm...?"

Sensing the disturbance from the Exclusive Identity Jade Token, Ji Haoyuan could not help but freeze.

But when he took out the jade token and saw its contents clearly, his previously calm expression immediately turned grave.

The others present seemed to have noticed something unusual about Ji Haoyuan as well. One by one, they turned back to look at him.

"Haoyuan, did something happen?"

In the end, Ji Bochang spoke for everyone.

Hearing this, Ji Haoyuan did not hide anything and slowly said,

"I just received word from the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion.

Half a month from now, the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion will hold a large-scale auction."

"An auction?"

Ji Bochang and the others were all taken aback.

"That's right." Ji Haoyuan nodded. "And this will not be an ordinary auction. A Foundation Establishment Pill will be among the items up for auction."

"What? A Foundation Establishment Pill?"

At Ji Haoyuan's final piece of news, everyone present, including Ji Bochang, was violently shaken.

A Foundation Establishment Pill—there would actually be a Foundation Establishment Pill!

At once, none of them could remain calm.

They all knew exactly what an auction featuring a Foundation Establishment Pill meant.

Especially at such a delicate time.

They could practically imagine just how fierce the competition at the auction half a month from now would be.

Perhaps even cultivators from the Crimson Cloud Sect would enter the fray to fight over it.

"Fifth Uncle, then should our Ji Family also...?"

At that moment, Ji Yunfan, the Ji Family Head, could not help looking toward Ji Haoyuan.

Without realizing it, he and the family elders present had all begun seeking Ji Haoyuan's opinion first.

And that was precisely what Ji Bochang at the side wished to see.

"Of course."

Ji Haoyuan answered without hesitation.

"Our Ji Family must not only attend this auction, but also do everything we can to compete for that Foundation Establishment Pill.

At the very least, we must acquire several Foundation Establishment spiritual treasures if we cannot get it."

In the current Cultivation World, aside from Foundation Establishment Pills, there were other spiritual treasures that could be used to help cultivators achieve Foundation Establishment.

For example, Five Elements Essence and Natural Dao Liquid.

However, whether it was Five Elements Essence or Natural Dao Liquid, their effectiveness in Foundation Establishment was far inferior to that of a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Moreover, they did not possess the Dao-protecting effect of a Foundation Establishment Pill.

If one used them for Foundation Establishment and failed, one's life would not be in danger, but one's future Dao path would inevitably be severed. There would be no second chance to start over.

This was also the main reason Foundation Establishment Pills were hailed as the foremost Foundation Establishment spiritual treasure.

Because if one used a Foundation Establishment Pill and failed, so long as one was not too old, one would still have a second, or even a third, chance to start over.

"So..."

Ji Haoyuan continued, "Take stock of all the Spirit Stones our Ji Family can currently use. Also, see whether we can sell off some things the Ji Family has no use for at present during these half a month, in exchange for more Spirit Stones."

He knew very well that the reason the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion had set the auction half a month later was to give those intending to participate more time to gather Spirit Stones.

"Yes!"

After hearing Ji Haoyuan's words, everyone bowed and accepted their orders.

Once everyone had departed one after another, Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang returned to the Back Mountain.

Ji Haoyuan immediately took out the defensive Spirit Artifact Round Shield and handed it to Ji Bochang.

"Old Ancestor, take this defensive spirit artifact.

The situation is unclear right now. Neither you nor I can guarantee when the real war will arrive.

This item has a considerable protective effect. Keep it."

Ji Bochang hurriedly shook his head.

"Haoyuan, since this is an item for your protection, how can I take it from you?

You should keep it for your own protection."

However, Ji Haoyuan shook his head.

"It's fine.

Its grade is already somewhat low for me now, so it is not of much use.

Besides, I already have a new defensive spirit artifact."

As he spoke, he summoned the Kun Luo Spirit Umbrella he had personally refined.

Upon seeing the Kun Luo Spirit Umbrella Ji Haoyuan had summoned, Ji Bochang could tell at a glance that its grade was indeed higher than that defensive Round Shield.

Thus, he no longer stood on ceremony with Ji Haoyuan and accepted the defensive Round Shield with a deeply emotional expression.

He said, "At the auction half a month from now, this old man will go with you."

Ji Haoyuan had wanted to ask Ji Bochang to remain in the clan.

But when he saw the concern in Ji Bochang's eyes, the words of refusal ultimately never left his mouth. Instead, he smiled and nodded.

"Alright!"

Time slipped away in the blink of an eye.

Half a month later.

When Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang arrived together in Crimson Cloud Immortal City, there were clearly far, far more people in the city than when he had come before.

Needless to say, most of these additional people had come for the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion's auction.

"Senior..."

As they walked toward the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion, Ji Haoyuan suddenly heard a familiar voice behind him.

He turned around.

Bai Qingshuang, who had served as his guide when he first came to Crimson Cloud Immortal City, was looking at him with a face full of delighted surprise.

Even Ji Haoyuan could not help feeling somewhat astonished.

He had not expected it to be such a coincidence that he would encounter Bai Qingshuang again.

"Hmm? Haoyuan, this is...?"

Ji Bochang at the side looked somewhat puzzled.

Clearly, he did not understand how a Qi Refining Stage cultivator like Bai Qingshuang could know Ji Haoyuan.

Ji Haoyuan promptly gave Ji Bochang a brief explanation. Then he smiled at Bai Qingshuang and said,

"Since fate has brought us together again, Qingshuang, why don't you be our guide once more?"

"Mm-hm, alright!"

Bai Qingshuang immediately nodded with a face full of delight.

As she spoke, she respectfully took the lead and began guiding them.

"By the way, Senior, where are you going this time?"

Ji Haoyuan answered with a smile.

"Take us directly to the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion.

We came this time to attend the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion's auction."

At his words, a flash of realization appeared in Bai Qingshuang's beautiful eyes.

Things were just as she had guessed.

There had simply been too many people coming to Crimson Cloud Immortal City lately to attend the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion's auction.

From what she knew, there were no fewer than seven or eight Foundation Establishment-level factions.

Thinking of this, she immediately told Ji Haoyuan and the others about some of the information she had learned over this period.

Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang both nodded after hearing it.

Things were indeed as they had expected.

There were clearly even more people coming to Crimson Cloud Immortal City to attend the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion's auction than they had imagined.

After some time.

Under Bai Qingshuang's guidance, Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang arrived at the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion.